Commonwealth Speakers and MPs attend IPU’s 151st Assembly to champion humanitarian action
Commonwealth Parliamentarians attended the 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland from 19 to 23 October 2025. The overarching theme of the event was on ‘Upholding humanitarian norms and supporting humanitarian action in times of crisis’.
All statutory bodies of the IPU, including the four thematic Standing Committees, the Forum of Women Parliamentarians, the Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians convened during the Assembly, providing a vital platform for delegates to deliberate.
The IPU Vice-President, Ms. G. Morawska-Stanecka (Poland) and IPU Secretary-General, Martin Chungong welcomed delegates to the 151st IPU Assembly.
The International Committee of the Red Cross's Director-General, Pierre Krähenbühl, addressed the IPU Assembly reflecting that there are more than 130 armed conflicts worldwide, and that International Humanitarian Law is being undermined globally.
Focusing on actions MPs can take to defend International Humanitarian Law, Mr Krähenbühl championed three actions for Parliamentarians.
- Allocate resources for IHL capacity building and national implementation
- Integrate IHL into domestic law and military training
- Advocate for your country's formal endorsement and active participation in the Global IHL Initiative.
Commonwealth Parliamentarians attended the 151st IPU Assembly from across the CPA’s membership including Australia, The Bahamas, Botswana, Canada, Cyprus, Eswatini, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zambia.
The IPU welcomed the Legislative Council of Brunei Darussalam as its 183rd Member Parliament, becoming the last remaining national Parliament in Asia to join the IPU. With a population of 455,000, Brunei Darussalam is the smallest country in Asia. Its Legislative Council is composed of up to 45 Members appointed to five-year terms, with 34 currently serving.
In addition, Niger officially regained its seat in the IPU as it had been suspended after a 2023 military coup.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organisation of national Parliaments that began in 1889 to promote peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.
The 152nd IPU Assembly is due to be held in Istanbul, Turkiye from 15 to 19 April 2026.
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Images credit: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) - click here
